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The Magic of Committing to a Specific Goal

In our noisy world of multitasking, always connected, and overstimulated work, it's easy to live in a constant state of distraction.

But it doesn't have to be that way.

An important lesson that is dangerously easy to ignore: if you commit to a task rather than thinking about a desire, you get something done.

The Dangerous Mistake We All Make

We do a lot of work every day and told ourselves, “Just study as you do other things.” Our primary goal is to score marks and so we figure out we could study as much to score good marks. The result is minimum knowledge we get from this kind of study.

We all have vague ideas like, “I shall study before exams, will get passing marks.” but we never went to study with intend to read or write something specific. Finally, the idea is to choose something specific to study for specific time. Then we ended up with something worth sharing.

How often do you do this in your own life?

We think constantly about our vague desires without committing to a specific task. We go to the gym to “work out” without trying to become better at something specific. We want to “get stronger” without considering the exact muscle groups that we want to focus on. We wish that we were more creative, but never work on a particular project.

Clarity Leads to Direction

All of the broad questions we ask ourselves, like “What should I do with my life?” or “Will I ever find love?” or “Is there meaning to what I do?” … none of those questions make it clear about what you should do next.

When you commit to a task, however, then the next step is obvious. You want to complete a chapter for exam? Next step: Get your notes and study material for that chapter. You’ve found the notes? Next step: Wake up early and study.

If you only think about what you want, then you'll end up confused or frustrated with luke warm results at best.

Your choices will fall into place if you have a direction to move towards.

Commitment to performing a specific task is often the only difference between our results and our desires.

Begin It Now

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”

— W.H. Murray

So often, we avoid staking our claim to a specific goal out of fear that we choose the wrong one. It's as if we forget that we can always adjust our decisions later on.

This is perhaps the most shocking thing about committing to a specific goal: if box yourself in, then you’ll begin to break out and achieve something greater than you ever imagined.

Commit to something and begin it now.

Once you fully decide to start, the world will find ways to help you finish.